Dukan Diet Experiment - OVER!

Okay, I was very exited about this diet.  Mostly because of the fast results.  I dropped 5 lbs the first day and 2 more the second day and 1 more the fourth day.  You wake up skinny!

That is the good part of the diet.

Now for the bad:

I had every bad side effect there was.  I had a constant headache, nausea, dizziness, couldn't think straight, and I was very, very tired.

That being said, I am a total carb junkie.  I love my fruits and veggies.  Normally, I eat pretty healthy.  No white stuff.  The attack day diet was extremely boring too.  Probably because I am a vegetarian.

But the absolute worst part of the diet was when you get off of it, BAMO!  Weight comes back in a flash.  The only day I felt good on the diet was the first day.  Probably because I was working off the carbs from the day before.

So, no more 131.8.  Back to 138.8.  I ran 8 miles today. That was the other problem I had with this diet, it is not for anyone who runs.  You need carbs for energy to run.

Well, today is a new day.  I am back on the SELF magazine drop 10 plan.  This is a good diet for me.  It has preset meals.  You don't have to think or figure out what to do.  Just select your 3 meals and on days I exercise heavily, have a 4th mini meal or treat.    I did this diet a few months back and it works. Now, I won't lose 5 lbs overnight tonight.  I will probably be down 1-2 lbs by next Saturday.  

Lynda

Dukan Diet-Day one Attack Phase

I downloaded the Dukan Diet book to my Kindle.  For the most part, I try to just count calories & exercise to lose weight.  This has worked wonderfully for me.  Especially if I can run and keep the calorie count to 1200-1400 per day.

Lately, however, I have been hungry all the time. Carb-starved, as I like to call it.  I have not stuck to my calorie counting.  I am still exercising and running but not making the best eating choices and my weight is up.

This diet has intrigued me since I heard about it on the Dr. Oz show.  I read the 4-Hour Body book.  While it was very good, the diet just did not work for me.  It is hard to stick to any diet that is low carb when you don't eat meat.

So, I decided to try this one.  It has a few paragraphs about what you can eat as a vegetarian during the attack phase. I read this entire book and went on the website to find my Dukan program:

2 day attack phase

20 day cruise phase

29 day consolidation phase

These two books have so many similarities (low carb, cold therapy, etc).  And differences.  One is the oat bran.   You have to have 1 1/2 tbsp. of oat bran every day with the Dukan Diet.  4HB makes you eat beans. No beans on Dukan Diet in this phase.

Today's menu:

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, Protein shake (water, Lean 1, 6 oz Chobani 0%, 1 c. crushed ice)

Lunch: 1 bocca burger, Protein shake (1/2 cup non-fat milk, 5 star Whey Protein powder - 1 level scoop, 4 oz Chobani 0%, Amazing Grass Cocoa, 1 c. crushed ice)

Dinner:  ahi Tuna steak, oat bran gallette (Dukan Diet recipe)

Totals for the day:  calories: 986, carbs:  60, Fat:  22, Protein:  142

You are supposed to have 1 1/2 quarts of water each day. I can tell you I have had more.  When I intake a ton of protein, this is what it does to me--it makes me thirsty.  I also ran 10 miles today. 

From reading this book (I could skip the chapters on obesity, smokers, etc.), I will feel really tired tomorrow.  This is due to the lack of carbs. I started this diet with a pooch of a belly (that is what I call it) and my weight is currently 140lbs.  According to the stats on the Dukan website, I should be down 1.63 pounds after I complete the full day tomorrow in this attack phase.  We shall see.  

Also, according to this diet plan, my goal weight should be 133.  The weight I am attempting to obtain (that I believe is best for me) is 129.

I do have to say that I am not hungry at all today.  I do feel tired, but that is probably due to me getting up at 4:30AM and running the 10 miles.

PS I had to revise my original post.  When it came time for dinner, I just could not have another protein shake.   I was too full!  Since I knew I needed the oat bran, I made the Dukan diet oat bran gallette (pancake).

Lynda

Dear Diary: 2011, how life has changed...

I thought I would start blogging again here at the running vegetarian website.  Unfortunately, I think I should get a new blog address.  You see, I am injured and cannot run.  

Last year, I thought it would be a great idea to sign up for a full marathon.  I had done a couple of Half Marathon's and it seemed like a logical step.  Plus, this year I turn the big Five-Oh!  I just wanted to finish one before I turned 50.

Training was hard.  I stuck to the Rookie Marathon's suggested running/training plan.  But with all of the running (8 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Wednesday, 8 or 9 on Thursday and 15 on Sunday), once I got to this part of the training, my knees started to go numb.  Then ache.  Really ache.  So, I put the knee straps on and plodded through the training.  

Word of advice to anyone training for their first marathon, don't "plod" through an injury.  It doesn't work.  By the time I returned from our vacation up north, my running friends could not believe my condition and my limp. After my long run, my knee looked swollen and ugly. 

They (my running friends) said STOP RUNNING!  GO TO THE DOCTOR!  I did the latter and eased up on the running.  I ended up with a kneecap problem.  Nothing serious but caused by the marathon training.  Doctor says "rest & cross train".  I am not a good cross-trainer.  I love running because I love the outdoors.  Hey, I live in SW Florida, how could you not love outdoors?  

I have been biking, lifting weights and using the elliptical trainer.  BORING!  Except for the weights, I am bored.  

And since I have not been exercising, I have gained weight!  I feel like a Mush-Mellow!  But that is about to change. You see, these last couple of month's taught me a lot about myself.  When I ran, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  Well, no more of that.  I found out, not running and eating like I used too equals an additional 10 pounds.  Clothes don't fit.  And I am miserable.

So, welcome 2011!  

Start weight:  143 (hard to even post)

Calorie Intake per day:  1,200-1,300

Eat at home more (more control on calories)

Get 8 hours of sleep

Drink more tea (notice it does not say "green" tea)

Exercise Plan:  

Elliptical 2 x per week   45 mins. per session

Stationary bike 1x per week  45-60 mins per session

Weight train 3 times per week; try to increase weight lifted

Walk or dog walk 1 x 60+ mins. per week (this is my rest day)

Yoga 1 or 2 x per week 90 mins. per session

That seems like a pretty good plan.  I am hoping that the yoga helps me heal.  I would like to run again in one month.  Even if it is just 3 miles without pain, I would be happy.

So welcome 2011 and the changes in my life.  I may even attempt pool running.  Anything to mix it up!

Breakfast today:  Oatmeal (Bob's  Red Mill) with banana and two tbsp. of Barney butter

Lunch:  2 slices of walnut arugula pizza (Men's Health Mag)

Dinner:  Leftovers

Lynda